S2S Challenge 2012
 

I know from experience how difficult it is to use up what we have before purchasing something new. Two things are usually behind it...
1) new toys hit the market. oooo shiny things!
2) it's much easier to buy more than dig through the stash for what we want/need.

We're starting off a new year with a new perspective. Let's declutter, decide what we want to keep, donate the rest and clear the deck for all new STAMPING/ SCRAPPING/ CREATIVE FUN!

REMEMBER: There are NO SET RULES. This is all about helping you be more aware of your spend -to-use ratio.

THE CONCEPT:
Determine how much you want to PAY yourself for the following:
(These are just examples. Brainstorm what works for you)

How much will you pay yourself for:
1 double pg LO
5 cards (basic matting/ embossing/ embellishment)
5 ATCs
1 Altered Item
1 Premium Item (think explosion cards or intricate items)
1 Challenge (there are a lot of great threads on this Forum)
1 VSN event
1 Meet-Up event
1 Updated Creative Blog Post
1 Gallery Upload (this is one DAY - not Item. You upload Mon - Fri. you
get 5 credits.)
Participating/ completing a swap or RAK


Some people also pay themselves for non-stamping items (things they need a little extra incentive for)

1) working out
2) losing a pound
3) eliminating a bad habit (credit per day)
4) for each book read


How will you keep track? Last year I decorated a blank check register. I got credit for an 'altered item' this way. hehe I keep it on my work surface so when I'm done at the end of the day I can notate my 'deposit'. I also make sure all 'expenses' get deducted when I've been shopping.

Some people have designed Excel sheets to keep track on their computer.

Let's keep the RED out of our check register and on our projects for 2012!

:)

so nice to think we are going on next year! i am loving this group so much! cheers, s : )

Thank you for the link Kelly!

Tracking Tools
 

This Excel sheet was created by one of our members from past years, MrsClark2001.

Yeah!!!!

Waiting patiently but I have updated my some new goals for 2012 in my signature!

I might have to think about joining this one this year - I have never wanted to really set a "budget" per se, but I like the idea of making myself use what I have before I get more!

How does this challenge work? I would love to join.

How Much Do I Earn?
 

In the past, newbies have asked how much individuals pay themselves for their projects. I�ve compiled a list from several in the 2011 S2S thread. This should give you something to kick in the thought process of what will best fit you. I've also added mine as a separate list at the bottom of the post.

Cards - $1 (1)/ $1(5)/ .50 (1)/ .75 (1)/ $2 (1)/

Blog/ Gallery update - $3/ $1/

Challenges/ RAK/ Swap - .50/ $2/

Specific Project/ Altered Item - $5/ (seemed to be the consensus)

Page LO - $5 (double)/ $1 (double)/ $5 (single)/ $10 (12x12 double)

Unused stamp (per stamp) � .10/ .50/ $1/

Actually mailing a card! - .10/ .25


Non-stamping related:

Working out - $1/ $2/ $5/ .25 per minute/

Pound lost - $1/ $2


Here�s what I pay myself:
1 2pg LO - $2
1 Card - .50
5 ATC - $2
1 Premium Item - $2
1 Altered Item - $5
1 Challenge - $2
1 VSN Event - $3
1 Updated Creative Blog - $1
1 Mailed card - .10
1 Gallery Upload - (per day) $1
1 Unused stamp - .50 each
1 RAK Bonus - .50
1 CCC-10 Bonus - $1
1 Mag. submission - $3
1 Completed Swap Bonus - $2
1 Exercise - $1
1 Pound lost - $1

Kelly's Tally Sheets
 

Here are the tally sheets I created for my tracking. Think of them like a restaurant ticket - one for each card/ project created. I've attached the front and back as well as my 'shopping' ticket. The shopping ticket helps me see where my money is actually going.

These are in WORD so you can take and manipulate them however works best for you.

S2S12 Master Challenge List
 

A new challenge will be posted each Monday. They are posted to inspire you to USE your STASH. ;-)

Remember to use KEYWORD: S2S12-(followed by the challenge #) when uploading to your gallery and to post a link here so we can find you and leave love :-D

A- <jan. 2="">- S2S12A - Make one to mail - Post #43
B- <jan. 9=""> - S2S12B - Tin Can Ice Cream - Post #78
C- <jan. 16=""> -S2S12C - National Pizza/ Round - Post #142
D- <jan. 23=""> -S2S12D - National Handwriting Day - Post #196
E- <jan. 30=""> -S2S12E - Sketch Challenge #130 - Post #218
F- <feb. 6=""> - S2S12F - Crayola Anniversary - Post #261
G- <feb. 13=""> -S2S12G - Chocolate w 2 Bonuses - Post #280
H- <feb. 20=""> -S2S12H - Bird Week w 1 Bonus - Post #314
I- <feb. 27=""> -S2S12I - Sketch Challenge w Bonus - Post #327
J- <mar. 5=""> - S2S12J - Music -Post #352
K- <mar. 12=""> -S2S12K - Girl Scout 100th Anniversary - Post #361
L- <mar. 19=""> -S2S12L - Happy Birthday Big Bird w 2 Bonuses - Post #374
M- <mar. 26=""> -S2S12M-Make Your Own Holiday - Post #386
N- <apr. 2=""> - S2S12N - Happy BD Hans Christian And. Ice Skates - Post #398
O- <apr. 9.=""> - S2S12O - Astronomy week - Stars - Post #423
P- <apr. 16=""> - S2S12P - Earth Day Challenge - Ocean - Post #430
Q- <apr. 23=""> - S2S12Q - Puppet Day - Moveable - Post #439
R- <apr. 30=""> - S2S12R - Sketch Challenge - Post #451
S- <may 7=""> - S2S12S - Pet Week - Dog or Cat - Post #462
T- <may14> - S2S12T - Wizard of Oz - Post #465
U- - S2S12U - Red Cross - Post #489
V- - S2S12V - National Yogurt Week - Post #499
W- -S2S12W - Hot Air Balloon - Post#519
X- - S2S12X - Rudolph - Post #530
Y- - S2S12Y - Flowers - Post #547
Z- - S2S12Z - Texture - Post #558

S2S12A1- Circus - Post #584
S2S12B1 - Quilt Theme Post #620
S2S12C1 - Graceful - Bonus Ballet Shoes Post #676
S2S12D1 - Hot Dog! Post #713
S2S12E1 - Guy card - Bonus for car Post #732
S2S12F1 - Lucille Ball - Post #735
S2S12G1 - Alfred Hitchcokc - Halloween Post #749
S2S12H1 - Kiss and Make Up Day - Post #762
S2S12I1- Frankenstien - Post #783</may14></may></apr.></apr.></apr.></apr.></apr.></mar.></mar.></mar.></mar.></feb.></feb.></feb.></feb.></jan.></jan.></jan.></jan.></jan.><jan. 2=""><jan. 9=""><jan. 16=""><jan. 23=""><jan. 30=""><feb. 6=""><feb. 13=""><feb. 20=""><feb. 27=""><mar. 5=""><mar. 12=""><mar. 19=""><mar. 26=""><apr. 2=""><apr. 9.=""><apr. 16=""><apr. 23=""><apr. 30=""><may 7=""><may14>S2S12J1- Grandma Moses inspired - Post #794</may14></may></apr.></apr.></apr.></apr.></apr.></mar.></mar.></mar.></mar.></feb.></feb.></feb.></feb.></jan.></jan.></jan.></jan.></jan.>
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<jan. 2=""><jan. 9=""><jan. 16=""><jan. 23=""><jan. 30=""><feb. 6=""><feb. 13=""><feb. 20=""><feb. 27=""><mar. 5=""><mar. 12=""><mar. 19=""><mar. 26=""><apr. 2=""><apr. 9.=""><apr. 16=""><apr. 23=""><apr. 30=""><may 7=""><may14>S2S12M1 - Ancestor Appr. Day - Post #829</may14></may></apr.></apr.></apr.></apr.></apr.></mar.></mar.></mar.></mar.></feb.></feb.></feb.></feb.></jan.></jan.></jan.></jan.></jan.>
<jan. 2=""><jan. 9=""><jan. 16=""><jan. 23=""><jan. 30=""><feb. 6=""><feb. 13=""><feb. 20=""><feb. 27=""><mar. 5=""><mar. 12=""><mar. 19=""><mar. 26=""><apr. 2=""><apr. 9.=""><apr. 16=""><apr. 23=""><apr. 30=""><may 7=""><may14>S2S12N1 - First Post Card - Post #837</may14></may></apr.></apr.></apr.></apr.></apr.></mar.></mar.></mar.></mar.></feb.></feb.></feb.></feb.></jan.></jan.></jan.></jan.></jan.>
<jan. 2=""><jan. 9=""><jan. 16=""><jan. 23=""><jan. 30=""><feb. 6=""><feb. 13=""><feb. 20=""><feb. 27=""><mar. 5=""><mar. 12=""><mar. 19=""><mar. 26=""><apr. 2=""><apr. 9.=""><apr. 16=""><apr. 23=""><apr. 30=""><may 7=""><may14>S2S12O1 - Thanksgiving - Post #852</may14></may></apr.></apr.></apr.></apr.></apr.></mar.></mar.></mar.></mar.></feb.></feb.></feb.></feb.></jan.></jan.></jan.></jan.></jan.>
<jan. 2=""><jan. 9=""><jan. 16=""><jan. 23=""><jan. 30=""><feb. 6=""><feb. 13=""><feb. 20=""><feb. 27=""><mar. 5=""><mar. 12=""><mar. 19=""><mar. 26=""><apr. 2=""><apr. 9.=""><apr. 16=""><apr. 23=""><apr. 30=""><may 7=""><may14>S2S12P1 - Pooh Bear - Post #860</may14></may></apr.></apr.></apr.></apr.></apr.></mar.></mar.></mar.></mar.></feb.></feb.></feb.></feb.></jan.></jan.></jan.></jan.></jan.>
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<jan. 2=""><jan. 9=""><jan. 16=""><jan. 23=""><jan. 30=""><feb. 6=""><feb. 13=""><feb. 20=""><feb. 27=""><mar. 5=""><mar. 12=""><mar. 19=""><mar. 26=""><apr. 2=""><apr. 9.=""><apr. 16=""><apr. 23=""><apr. 30=""><may 7=""><may14>S2S12S1 - Hug A Bear - Post #925</may14></may></apr.></apr.></apr.></apr.></apr.></mar.></mar.></mar.></mar.></feb.></feb.></feb.></feb.></jan.></jan.></jan.></jan.></jan.>
<jan. 2=""><jan. 9=""><jan. 16=""><jan. 23=""><jan. 30=""><feb. 6=""><feb. 13=""><feb. 20=""><feb. 27=""><mar. 5=""><mar. 12=""><mar. 19=""><mar. 26=""><apr. 2=""><apr. 9.=""><apr. 16=""><apr. 23=""><apr. 30=""><may 7=""><may14>S2S12T1 - Claude Monet - Post #928</may14></may></apr.></apr.></apr.></apr.></apr.></mar.></mar.></mar.></mar.></feb.></feb.></feb.></feb.></jan.></jan.></jan.></jan.></jan.>
<jan. 2=""><jan. 9=""><jan. 16=""><jan. 23=""><jan. 30=""><feb. 6=""><feb. 13=""><feb. 20=""><feb. 27=""><mar. 5=""><mar. 12=""><mar. 19=""><mar. 26=""><apr. 2=""><apr. 9.=""><apr. 16=""><apr. 23=""><apr. 30=""><may 7=""><may14>S2S12U1 - Skipped</may14></may></apr.></apr.></apr.></apr.></apr.></mar.></mar.></mar.></mar.></feb.></feb.></feb.></feb.></jan.></jan.></jan.></jan.></jan.>
<jan. 2=""><jan. 9=""><jan. 16=""><jan. 23=""><jan. 30=""><feb. 6=""><feb. 13=""><feb. 20=""><feb. 27=""><mar. 5=""><mar. 12=""><mar. 19=""><mar. 26=""><apr. 2=""><apr. 9.=""><apr. 16=""><apr. 23=""><apr. 30=""><may 7=""><may14>S2S12V1 - Postage Stamp - Post #967</may14></may></apr.></apr.></apr.></apr.></apr.></mar.></mar.></mar.></mar.></feb.></feb.></feb.></feb.></jan.></jan.></jan.></jan.></jan.><jan. 2=""><jan. 9=""><jan. 16=""><jan. 23=""><jan. 30=""><feb. 6=""><feb. 13=""><feb. 20=""><feb. 27=""><mar. 5=""><mar. 12=""><mar. 19=""><mar. 26=""><apr. 2=""><apr. 9.=""><apr. 16=""><apr. 23=""><apr. 30=""><may 7="">S2S12W1 - Walt Disney & Blue Jeans - Post #984</may></apr.></apr.></apr.></apr.></apr.></mar.></mar.></mar.></mar.></feb.></feb.></feb.></feb.></jan.></jan.></jan.></jan.></jan.>

Welcome Jeannette :-)

I've just updated Post #1 with all the details. Then read back since your first post to see the other tools and info I've added

The cool thing is this has nothing to do with budget. It's all about making you more AWARE of what you have available to you before spending any more money.

You'll hear me (and the veteran members) use the word AWARENESS a lot :-D

The question about what to do with a 'year-end' balance has come up when starting a new year. Here's my stock answer hehe

I'd say 2 choices
1) carry it over, you've earned it.
2) Take it shopping! Then start this year from scratch to see if you can come out farther ahead than last year

Thanks Stephanie. If nothing else, it's made us friends :-)

Hey Angie!

I hope this post finds you with a fixed computer. I know what you've been going through and feel for you. Merry Christmas!

LOL Have enough challenge links in your siggy line?

Glad you've followed me Carol. I seem to hang out with all the cool people!

Haven't heard from you in awhile. Good to see you found us here. You're like me, try to get ahead of the year... might be the only time LOL

Thank you so much. I am looking forward to doing this.

Hey Toni!

I almost missed your smiling face down there :-)
Glad to see you here.

I'm spending time this afternoon setting the Challenges for the entire year - all 52 - so we should be on a better track this year... aka not missing any LOL

LOL....They are the only ones.....I think they'll keep me busy and out of trouble this year!!!

Something New This Year - Reward Points!
 

I mean, really... doesn't everyone offer Reward Points these days? Why should I be different? (That was rhetorical! :-) )

I am really hoping for more participation in the challenges this year. I have set up every single challenge for 2012. All I have to do is post it each Monday. I will also be doing better about posting my own challenge cards this year. I'd like you guys to do the same.

So here's how it works:

On the first day of each month, I'll create a post that says (MONTH) Reward Points.

EARNING POINTS:
To earn a point, all you have to do is participate in the challenge and either post it here, or a link to your gallery where we can see it. When you do, I'll put your name on the list.


BONUS POINTS:
Well, of course I gotta give you a little extra goodies. Some challenges will have a bonus built in. If you accept the challenge to add that item to your card/ creation, you'll earn the bonus points.

PRIZES:
You get 1 drawing slip per point earned. So take advantage of the bonus points for extra chances to win!

Have FUN! USE the stash! BUILD your bank balance! Why?

So you can buy more stuff! :-)

Kelly, you are a creative genius!

Aw shucks! ;-)

Toni, I agree with you! I think this challenge is going to be lots more fun this year, and I intend to at least get one weekly challenge done each month. Thanks Kelly!

Welcome, Ina. Just trying to crack the whi... I mean 'encourage' ya'll to use your stuff :-D

I'm hoping I can really participate in this in 2012. I really like the idea of the challenges! Thank you Kelly for all your hard work on this!

You're the best!!

Well the darn thing is not 100% fixed, it won't read a CD, but at least I can get on-line again. I was missing all of you so much I was having withdrawls.

I have a couple days off yet before I have to go back to work and I am using them to start the major reorganization of my craft and sewing rooms. Yes I said rooms. My house is over 100 years old and has wierd nooks and crannys. The sewing room is a small room off the back of my craft room. A couple of friends helped me clear off and move a huge old bookcase onto a tarp so I can paint it tomorrow. Once it is usable I can put all of my craft/sewing idea books on it and make room in my craft room. Moving some furniture around in there and doing a major PURGE. Spend the last couple of evenings unmounting all of my large background stamps and putting them on cling mount so I can use them with my MEGA mount. I haven't gotten nearly as much done as I had hoped to by now, but my friends keep reminding me of the things I have accomplished, so at least some one can see that I have been busy.

Think I will go change my siggie so I can start 2012 off with a clean slate.

woo hoo! Thank you Carol for directing me here.

Great idea, Kelly, on the rewards. You can crack the whi...I mean encourage me anytime. My goal for 2012 is to make at least one card or scrapbook page each day.

Now, to tweek my excel sheet from last year.

After cleaning my office/craft room today, I need this challenge. I really need to use up my stuff. I have no more room for more stuff.

Debbie - Congrats to you on cleaning your room today!! LOL I did a bit of creating today..and used heat/stick powder and glitter for the first (and most likely) last time....Now I have to clean up my room tomorrow night after work! LOL There is dazzling diamond glitter everywhere!!!! UGH!

Carol, I had planned on a cardmaking marathon this weekend, but only made 2 cards yesterday. I couldn't find a home for something so I just piled it on top of other stuff that needed a home.

I should have said instead of piling stuff up on top of each other, I decided it was time to find homes them.

got hung up with computer & software issues for our business today but I am determined to get in my craft room and make something tonight. I really want to be able to create enough to post to my blog at least 3x a week. It has been sadly neglected for the last several months.

woo hoo! I spent some time in my craft room and made 2 cards! I'm going to post on my blog and then I'll upload them here.

Here is card #2 for January.

Dragon Birthday by grammatroll - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers

Posted this in the wrong place. I really need to pay attention to where I'm at. This card is for the All Ocassions Card Challenge.

That's ok Debbie. We want to see it here too. Using your stash stuff is good inspiration no matter which thread you are on.

Never got half as much accomplished yesterday as I would have liked. Nothing quite went right and I had to make a trip to Menard's. Got a coat of primer on the bookcase and file cabinet, but that was all. Today I got 2 coats of paint on the bookcase so it is ready to use, and one coat on the file cabinet. Plastic up on 6 windows, 3 more to go. I really do not want to go back to work tomorrow. I want to stay home and work on my craft room some more.

Hoping not to have to work late this week so I can come home and work on it a bit each evening.